Our people

Rob was born in mid-Canterbury and trained as a Registered Nurse (RGON) at Christchurch Hospital. Now retired, she remains involved and interested in the Tairāwhiti community.

She moved to Gisborne in 1977 becoming involved in the Waikohu area in aspects of community health, establishing the Waikohu Health Centre and serving on various community groups including St John Ambulance and Plunket.

Rob initially joined Sunrise Foundation as a member of the Grants committee, bringing an awareness and knowledge of health within Tairāwhiti. Rob became a Sunrise Foundation Trustee in 2021 and was nominated Chairman in 2022.

Rob is interested in rural life, gardening, plays golf and supports her husband, children and grandchildren.

Email Rob here.

Leslynne Jackson (Ngati Porou, Te Aitanga a Mahaki) was born and raised in Gisborne. She is Programme Lead
for Manaaki Tairāwhiti, a place-based initiative that provides stewardship and governance across a number of government funded and community-led social sector initiatives.

Leslynne has worked for government agencies, NGOs and in the private sector as well as volunteering with various  charitable groups. She has a BA in Social Sciences and believes in lifelong learning.

While living overseas, Leslynne worked for Community Justice Boards and the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programme in Yuma, Arizona. Returning to Gisborne in 2008, she was the Area Manager for Presbyterian Support East Coast, where she supported the establishment of the Tauawhi Mens’ Centre and chaired the Gisborne East Coast Council of Social Services. In 2020, Leslynne was awarded a Fellowship with the NEXT Foundation.

With more than 30 years’ experience working in and around social services and the associated networks, Leslynne is a strong advocate for both systemic changes and community-led action that improve the lives of children, whanau and vulnerable adults.

Email Leslynne here.

Joe was born and raised in Gisborne and was a partner at Burnard Bull & Co from 1984 until 2019 when it merged with Woodward Chrisp.

Joe is employed as a consultant with Woodward Chrisp and specialises in property transactions, commercial, company and partnership work, estates, estate planning and elder law.

Joe serves on Historic Places Tairāwhiti as a committee member. He served on the committee of the Gisborne Chamber of Commerce for 28 years and was a trustee of the Eastland Community Trust for seven years. He was also a trustee of Te Ha 1769 Sestercentennial Trust. He is also past president of the Gisborne Law Society and is solicitor for a number of community organisations.

His past experiences have shown him what the accumulation and growth of capital can mean for the Gisborne district over time and therefore sees Sunrise Foundation as an effective way to accumulate philanthropic contributions into one charitable foundation, for the betterment of the region.

Joe has been actively involved in a number of local drama productions and is interested in yachting, snow skiing and history.

Email Joe here.

Reweti is of Ngāi Tāmanuhiri and Rongowhakaata whakapapa. He is currently the CEO for Tūranga Health and has held the position for over 20 years. In addition to the role, Reweti has provided governance support for a number of entities encompassing iwi development, primary healthcare establishment and philanthropic endeavour.

Reweti holds a Masters in Business Administration, is a recipient of the MNZM and is an avid supporter of being alongside his children’s progress through life. Other commitments include trustee Muriwai Marae, trustee Matai Medical Institute and trustee Nga Tamatoa C Company Trust.

Email Reweti here.

Alice was born in Gisborne and raised in Tolaga Bay and is the Chief Executive Officer at Eastland Generation Limited.

Alice has a Bachelor of Commerce and is a Board member at Sport Gisborne Tairāwhiti. She has previously held volunteer roles at Gisborne Netball and Early Childhood Centres in Gisborne.

Alice recognises the importance and value of Sunrise Foundation for the people of Tairāwhiti and is passionate about growing its portfolio to support distributions to charitable organisations and groups in our region.

Email Alice here.

"E noho koe ki te ngaki i nga werawera a o matua tipuna
mo nga uri whakatipu".

Whaimutu Dewes, of Ngati Porou and Ngati Rangitihi descent, is constantly reminded of the strictures of his elders to realise the aspirations of the people for the generations that follow. Whaimutu has an intense interest in the role of economics and governance in New Zealand and Maori economic development.

He is Chairman of Ngati Porou Forests Group, a member of Taumata Maori (Adjunct to Sport NZ Ihi Aoteroa) and Deputy Chair of Transpower NZ.

Previous governance roles include the Chair of Ngati Porou Seafoods, Aoteroa Fisheries and Sealord, and directorships of Contact Energy, Ngati Porou Holding Company, Housing New Zealand, Television New Zealand and the Advisory Board to the Treasury and to AMP.

Whaimutu has worked for the departments of Justice (legislation formulation) and Maori Affairs (general counsel) for 10 years in the legal section and 5 years with Fletcher Challenge in business development. He has also been involved in the establishment and is a member of the boards of Te Runanga o Ngati Porou and Te Ohu Kai Moana.

A strong advocate of the revitalisation of te reo Maori, Whaimutu regards the fact he and his wife Judy have raised their children to be fluent in the Maori and English languages and to see that continued with their mokopuna to be one of their life highlights.

Email Whaimutu here.

Mike has been a Partner in the BDO Gisborne office since 1998 and Managing Partner since 2010.

Mike’s skills extend from basic compliance assistance through to business re-structuring and family succession. He has a passion for delivering the very best client service and developing solid relationships with his clients.

Mike has extensive experience in governance and advisory in both the public and private sectors in Gisborne District.

Mike has been a long-time supporter of Sunrise and sees his involvement as a Trustee as an opportunity to give back to the area in which he was raised, helping to make our community a better place for future generations.

Email Mike here.

I was born and raised in Gisborne and have been working in the building industry for most of my life. I worked for a family company Traue Joinery, Fisher Aluminium and Gisborne Door Centre, managing all three companies when my father retired and was also doing a post graduate degree in Construction Management. This enabled me to be very involved in Master Builders as a local President and on a working party for New Zealand Master Builders.

I was made a life member of Gisborne Master Builders and also a life member of Gisborne Business and Professional Women's Club. In 2019 I won the NAWIC (National Association of Women in Construction) award for Professional Woman of the Year.

The Hospital Advisory Committee was where I heard about the need for a Long Term Conditions Unit - Tui Te Ora and I was instrumental in getting funding and building the community asset. 

Last year I retired and am now treasurer for U3A, and am still a member of BPW. I enjoy reading and travelling with my husband to visit children and grandchildren in Sweden and Wellington.

I am excited to be a Sunrise trustee and look forward to making a positive contribution to this exciting foundation.

Combining her professional skills with a passion for community development has led to the perfect role for Glenda Stokes.

Glenda has a background in sales leadership, including seven years as advertising manager at The Gisborne Herald. She is also passionate about giving back to her community and enjoys the way Sunrise connects her to the community, both with donors and the groups out there doing the hard work.

The mother-of-three and grandmother of six, is a person who needs to believe in what she is doing. Glenda’s professional and voluntary work to date has helped her build strong local networks and a full understanding of how the community works and some of the challenges it faces. She is excited by community project work and can always be relied on for her energy and enthusiasm.

Glenda moved to Gisborne in 2005 along with her husband Derek Craven and said it was like coming home. She spent the first year or so of her life living at Hick’s Bay and enjoys the sense of belonging and ownership that a close-knit community offers.

She is confident that Sunrise will make a significant difference to the people of Tairāwhiti-Gisborne and particularly likes the concept of “giving that lasts forever”.

Email Glenda here.

Janine has a background in education, working almost 20 years as a primary school teacher, with much of that being part-time while she raised three children.

Janine has a varied and interesting employment background, with experience as a travel agent, tour guide in Europe, artist and viticulturalist/winemaker. 

Janine grew up in Matamata, moving to Gisborne in 2001 after several years abroad working and travelling.

Janine feels honoured to work for Sunrise and be able to play a small part in helping charitable organisations and groups within Tairāwhiti.

Email Janine here.

Lynda was born and raised on a farm at Matawhero, Gisborne. Along with her husband James, who is a Director at Architects 44, she is currently renovating a historic homestead and gardent beside the Waimata River.

Lynda previously worked in the office at Illminster Intermediate and brings with her an attention to detail and excellent organisational skills.

Lynda is the mother of two adult children, and enjoys waka ama and gardening in her spare time. Lynda loves the kaupapa of Sunrise and the positive impact we are having in our community.

Email Lynda here.